Page 83 of Lady and the Gamble (The Colby Brothers 2)

Evelina was bursting with joy on the inside from Ryan’s words yet knew he was talking irrational. The only thing he had ever wanted was to sail the ocean and explore far off places. And he was willing to throw all that away for her. A fraud. No matter how much she wanted to surrender to his love, she knew she needed to reject his declaration.

“You returned for the Lady Evelina. Not for me.”

He sighed heavily. “You can’t keep hiding behind that.”

“I think maybe you should leave.”

“That’s the last thing you want.”

She closed her eyes, trying to ease her heartbreak.

“When will you start entrusting your life to fate, Evelina?”

“What?”

“Stop being afraid to live.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Please, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Then stop blaming me why we won’t work.”

Bitterly, she said, “The only reason you ever wanted me was to take claim of the Lady Evelina.”

“Yes, that was my reason initially but I’ve come to love you dearly.”

Hearing him proclaim is love nearly was Evelina’s undoing. Her heart felt as if it had stopped beating an entire minute.

Barely able to catch her breath, she replied with a cracking voice, “Don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“Tell me you don’t feel the same.”

She squeezed back tears. Oh how she wished she had the strength to do so. But it wasn’t real. None of it. Instead, she whispered, “I’m grateful your life was spared.”

“I’ve traveled twelve hundred miles to see you again. Is that all you have to say?”

Her throat began to swell and Evelina was terrified she would break down in sobs. “I thought you died. It was the worse feeling ever. I can’t do this.”

“Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry. But please don’t close yourself off from me.”

/> She averted her gaze and shook her head rapidly. “Just stop. No more.”

“I can’t. Not yet.” He said firmly. “I have another confession to make. When I returned from Placid to discover you had sought help on heeling your phobia, I was disappointed. You wouldn’t need me if you were cured. Perhaps even choose to marry another.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? You pretty much said as much at one time. Actually, I believe you wished it.”

“I lied.” He bluntly stated. “Both to you and to myself. I want you for myself.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“You are my heart’s desire, Evelina.”

“Sailing the ocean is your heart’s desire. Are you trying to tell me you no longer dream of setting sail ever again? I wouldn’t believe you.”

“No, I will always dream of sailing off to foreign continents and exploring the world by sea.” Her heart dropped. “But if I have to choose between you or that, than I choose you.”

She couldn’t respond immediately so overwhelmed with his honest admission.

“Y–you don’t know what you are saying.”

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